A few weeks ago I went to Chicago for a work trip. In 4 days we worked about 59 hours. It was fun to see a new city and to be involved in such a cool experience. Overall we felt exhausted, for 59 hours we were smiling, dancing, laughing, crying, walking, walking, setting up, taking down, cleaning up, filling up bean bags, and so many things to make this Convention run well. Luckily it went really well or I'd be pretty upset.
My story is not about the convention, my story is about the traveling home. Let me introduce you to my co workers that are involved in this story.
M - Our accountant
T - Art Director
E - Executive Assitant
B - Events Planner
R - Photographer
....... and then there is me Miki.
(T is not pictured and this was before we started to travel)
Out to dinner!
On Sunday our flight back to Utah left Chicago airport at 6am, we knew we needed to arrive at about 4am to get through security and get to the gate in time. Saturday night was our big farewell and festivities lasted until about midnight. We hadn't eaten so this little crew went out and got some delicious dinner, after wandering around Chicago for about 2 hours, we decided we might as well just go to the airport, since it was a 40 minute drive and we needed to return the rental car. At 2am we headed back to the swissotel packed our bags and we met back down in the lobby. R was our designated driver. She pulled the car around and all of our tired limp bodies loaded the luggage in the car. We filled up the trunk very quickly so the rest of the luggage ended up on laps. B and I sat in the 3rd row, M and E sat in the second row and T and R sat in the very front. After 30 minutes of driving we pulled over at a Gas Station to fill up. There were police outside arresting a dude for what I imagine was a drug deal, becuase we were in the ghetto. We filled up quickly and sped out of there. We then went to enterprise to return the car and found it was closed... to the next enterprise..... and then the next enterprise...... then another.... then to the airport where we finally found the right car return place.
We knew the shuttle was waiting on us, so we were trying to make this process move as quickly as possible, which only caused more problems. T got the car taken care of and we all were trying to get our luggage out to shuffle over to the shuttle. I should insert here that T was the only male and really had his hands full with 5 women. I had tons of luggage on my lap since I was in the back. I was the last one out of the car and tried to hop out. Something caught me and I was dangling in mid air with at least 3 bags in my hands. At some point during our drive I moved around enough to have 2 different seat belts in my legs, around my shoulders, over my back and in my arms. I was actually suspended in air. T came over with a look of exhaustion took the bags and helped me untangle we then walked to the shuttle ready to board our plane.
We finally get to the Delta line to check bags. It was about 4am, right on schedule for us, apparently to early for Delta. They do not check bags until 4:30am! We sat in line with other travellers and waited. B was so exhausted that she decided she didn't care about anything any more. She didn't care about germs, bring mugged, stepped on, having things or herself kicked, she just didn't care. At this point B dozed off into a deep sleep. The rest of us knew we couldn't leave her so we sat next to her and watched her sleep. After about 20 minutes she was relaxed enough that she started to twitch like crazy. Which brings us to E. E is hilarious. She was watching B twitch and just lost control of her emotions. We'd been awake for over 24 hours now and none of us were right in the head. At this time E started to cry, like mascara down your face cry... like mascara all over the sleeves of your jacket cry. T and I couldn't handle it, we were laughing so hard we about started to cry too.
Finally the checker comes and lets us start checking bags, R is up first and they claim her bag is 3 pounds over weight. She opens it and takes out Garrett's popcorn tin (famous popcorn in Chicago) which apparently was the culprit. R has to re-pack her bag, because the popcorn was the bottom and then rest of us checked in with ease. OFF TO SECURITY! At this point R is carrying a huge tub of popcorn and we all have carry-ons. We must have looks like zombies. R tries to throw away the popcorn and it spilled everywhere all over the airport. Like gushes of popcorn all over the security line. It was a mess. We all are hysterically laughing as R just storms off in a rage. She's done...
We all make it through security, with only one full body search, which is B. Luckily she was well rested for it, since she napped on the floor! Yuck...
We see our gate on the screen and just take off. No one is even speaking to one another we are just dashing to the gate. The Chicago airport is huge, we've been on our feet for 16 hours a day the past week and just need to sit! We get to the gate and find out it was the wrong gate. It was the worst feeling. I imagine it's like when the doctor tells you that you only have 6 weeks to live. We all look at each other and retrace our steps all the way back.
Finally we reach our gate. We have about 30 minutes left until the plane is boarding. We all sit down away from anyone else and away from each other. We were the saddest travellers you've ever seen. No sleep, no food, our feet killed, we all had some mental break down and just wanted our beds.
Finally our plane boards. M gets on, R gets on, T gets on, E gets on, B is on and me - I'm on! We were 3 short hours away from home! It's cozy, time for a nap? NO! Because, less than 30 minutes into our flight - we had a medical emergency. Seat belts had to be on, no snacks for us, no drinks for us, and even though this man needed serious attention I was pretty crabby that I didn't get a tomato juice. When there is a medical emergency flight attendants like to keep you updated every 15 minutes, so that did away with any sleep for me as well. I was the most ornery I had ever been in my life. I just wanted home so badly.
Over the intercom I hear "We may be landing in Denver due to this medical emergency".
I started to tear up. I waited for the final call. Home or Denver??
HOME! The one good thing that happened. We were able to go home.
We made it to Salt Lake City and we all seperated. T was off quicker than anyone. M, R, B, E and I kept in our group trying to hold it together. Then M left to meet her ride, then E left, then R was out and it was just B and I. B's hubby was waiting for her and the baggage claim. They went to hug. I impatiently waited for that to end and the asked for a ride to my car, so I didn't have to wait for the shuttle. Luckily that adventure had no misfortune.
I arrived home and curled up next to Jared, Shia and Indie and slept for 10 straight hours. Luckily that is nothing, but a memory now.
Have you had a horrible travel experience?